WESTFIELD-Three women who “walk the walk” have been the catalyst for expanding the annual Run Stanley fundraiser at Stanley Park.
“They are my inspiration,” said Tina Gorman, executive director of the Westfield Council on Aging, singling out Barbara Martone, Barbara Coleman, and Irene Lansing, who all will be participating in Run Stanley this fall.
Barbara Coleman, Barbara Martone, Tina Gorman, and Irene Lansing (with Yoshi), all representing the Westfield Senior Center, will be participating in next month’s Run Stanley event.
The Run Stanley 5K Run/Walk, Munchkin Run & Senior Stroll, slated Oct. 14 at 10 a.m., raises funds to benefit the care and upkeep of the Frank Stanley Beveridge Wildlife Sanctuary at the park, according to chairperson Vanessa Diana.
“Run Stanley is a fundraiser to support the wildlife sanctuary and a chance for the community to thank Stanley Park for all the enjoyment we gain from its beauty,” said Diana. “A few years back we added the Munchkin Run for young children and then the K9 division for the 5K, allowing humans to run with their dogs. This year we’re adding the Senior Stroll, which was an idea that Tina Gorman suggested, so that older family members can join in the fun.”
On a recent weekday morning at the Westfield Senior Center, the three women shared their enthusiasm for walking in Run Stanley, now in its sixth year, with the hope it will inspire other seniors to participate.
“I enjoy walking with friends for the exercise,” said Martone, who volunteers in the senior center kitchen. “I’m also happy to support Run Stanley because it is for a good cause.”
Coleman echoed those sentiments.
“I walk daily, weather permitting,” said Coleman, who also volunteers at the senior center, from helping the kitchen staff and working the distribution line for the monthly Brown Bag Program, to distributing the Council on Aging’s monthly newsletter to key locations in the downtown area. “I force myself to keep walking for my health. We hope more people will turn out to walk because walking is good for everybody.”
Lansing concurred.
“I walk to keep my weight under control,” said Lansing, adding her guide dog Yoshi also needs to stay in shape. “I am happy to participate with Yoshi at Run Stanley because it is important to support Stanley Park.”
Tina Gorman and her husband Gary recently spent a few hours at Stanley Park, marking a trail that the seniors will follow.
“Because the terrain of the sanctuary trails is uneven and hilly, we added the Senior Stroll route to offer a flat, mostly paved option that’s more accessible,” said Diana. “We’re very excited about Senior Strollers participating; I’ve received messages from adult participants who are signing up with their older parents and their children.”
Stanley Park representatives and the Run Stanley Race Committee, with the help and support from many volunteers from Westfield State University, will be hosting the event which includes the 5K run/walk, a Munchkin Run hosted by Dunkin’ Donuts, the 5K K9 trail run and walk, and the 1-mile Senior Stroll.
“Stanley Park is a place where families gather across the generations to make memories,” said Diana. “Because families enjoy the park together, we want Run Stanley to be a multi-generational, family friendly event for everyone.”
Seniors interested in signing up can contact team captain Mary Lou Niedzielski at the senior center. Registration is $15 for seniors. Seniors signing up by Sept. 28 will also be guaranteed to receive a Run Stanley T-shirt.
“We’ll also raise money as a team to contribute to the Stanley Park cause through pledges and 50/50 drawings throughout the month,” said Gorman.
For complete details on Run Stanley and Stanley Park, visit www.stanleypark.org or call the park at (413) 568-9312.
